I recently played with a demo model and didn't care for it. It was too small for my hands. My thumb had to rest halfway across the screen. The page turn buttons were not placed where I could use them. All buttons were too small. I would have to use two hands to operate it.

And it had a dollar store quality to it. Frankly, I think at $79 it is overpriced.

Since it was in demo mode I couldn't use it fully. The page turns were not fast on this particular model. The screen wasn't the best I've seen. I did think the background was slightly darker compared to the K3 next to it but that could be lighting effects. It's possible the unit wasn't functioning properly, though. Other functions seemed strangely tedious.

Checking the other ereaders on display, none seemed to function as intended. Not a good selling feature.

Although some stores are doing a little better with their displays, most have really poor displays. And some don't even put out display models at all! It is almost as if they are trying hard not to make any sells. And it usually doesn't do any good to ask questions of the sales staff as they tend to be clueless. If you have the cash to buy a couple different models and take them home to use for a while, that might be the best way to gauge which best fits your needs. Then return the one that you like the least.

I agree that the trend of making the bezels very narrow around the screens makes many of the newer E Ink devices difficult to hold if you have large hands. I do like the placement of the buttons on the K4 NT better than on the Sony T1 though, at least for portrait reading. Although for landscape use, the Sony T1 buttons are well placed. But both are really narrow at the bezel. I haven't tried the Nook Touch, but I read that the buttons were hard to use. All the newer readers are way too thin for me as well, although I really like the reduced weight due to being so thin.

I recently played with a demo model and didn't care for it. It was too small for my hands. My thumb had to rest halfway across the screen. The page turn buttons were not placed where I could use them. All buttons were too small. I would have to use two hands to operate it.

And it had a dollar store quality to it. Frankly, I think at $79 it is overpriced.

Since it was in demo mode I couldn't use it fully. The page turns were not fast on this particular model. The screen wasn't the best I've seen. I did think the background was slightly darker compared to the K3 next to it but that could be lighting effects. It's possible the unit wasn't functioning properly, though. Other functions seemed strangely tedious.

Checking the other ereaders on display, none seemed to function as intended. Not a good selling feature.

I agree with you on most of it. Darker display, page turning buttons are hard to push. You do need to use two hands. It does have a slight cheap feel to it but at $79 you do get offers that pretty much pay for the Kindle. I've already saved $28 dollars with the offers I've used. It will pay for itself after a while I suspect.

I really like my K4. I wish the contrast was better but I've learn to live with that one. The page buttons are another issue but it's another thing I can live with for the price. $79 for a Pearl display Reader is unheard of till now. So it's a great deal even with it's quirks.

I'm actually convinced that at this point the K3 (Kindle Keyboard) is my favorite of all the Kindles ever made, in terms of form factor. I made the mistake of purchasing the Wifi version when I purchased mine a year ago, and have decided to upgrade to a 3G KK, and either keep my current one as a backup or give it to a relative. The bezel is the perfect size for me. I've never had an issue with the screen. I like the physical keyboard. I wish they had included a row of numbers on the keyboard, but that is my only quibble with it. I would have waited to evaluate the K4, touch version, but the lack of physical page turn buttons makes it a no-go for me. I'll keep the K3 until something more compelling (next round of readers, perhaps?) comes along.

I'm actually convinced that at this point the K3 (Kindle Keyboard) is my favorite of all the Kindles ever made, in terms of form factor.
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The bezel is the perfect size for me. I've never had an issue with the screen. I like the physical keyboard....
I would have waited to evaluate the K4, touch version, but the lack of physical page turn buttons makes it a no-go for me.

Pretty much why I bought a KK at $99, after the K4 already came out.

The size of the K4/K4T just wasn't going to work for me, after checking out a K4 (and the K4T is only supposed to be a fraction larger).

I have to respectfully disagree with a lot of the comments made in this thread. I find the K4 quality to be much better than the K3. I've owned several K3's and each exhibited a certain amount of "flexibility", so to speak, when squeezed. The design of the K3 also uses a layer of double-sided tape to adhere the bezel to the screen. In many cases, this delaminates and the bezel no longer adheres to the screen.

The K4 is very solid and the metal back provides to an overall feel of of quality not found in the K3. Bezos himself talks about the K4 having the best build quality. I know there can be a little variation in screens, but the perceived darkness is because of the contrast between the bezel and the screen. Ever look at a white K3? The screen looks dark, for example.

I've been impressed with the design and have no issues reading with reading with one hand and turning the buttons. My hands skew to the larger end of the spectrum. Compared to the Sony T-1, the K4 quality is better. As a side note, my daughter owns a Nook Simple Touch, which seems to have a quality build. No issues with the buttons on that design either.

Having both, I find each has his advantage : the Kindle 3 has a keyboard, it's easier (to me at least) to hold since the bezel offers more space. The Kindle NT is lighter, the link between the bezel and the screen is nice with it's fine black line and less prone to catch dust, handling of dictionaries is a bit better, and it's globally noticeably faster. As for the screen quality, it really depends since some have reported a better screen on the Kindle Keyboard, others (like me) have a better screen on the Kindle NT. I don't feel their build quality to feel cheap.

i went to staples today and tried the latest gen kindle. i probably fiddled with it for about a minute before seeking out the manager and asking if they could get it out of demo mode so i could actually test the thing and not be tutored she said no , and indicated that that wasn't the first time she'd heard that request. anyway, i gave up and left, so i have no idea if i'd like the thing or not

I wouldn't call it a Mickey Mouse thing. It is after all better built than any of the other current E Ink eReader offerings from Sony, Kobo, and B&N. It might be considered less feature rich than most, but that was by design and due to the loud outcry from diehard Kindle fans who voiced their concerns against a touch screen reader and against a reader without page buttons. At $80 compared to the $130 to $150 offerings by the other major brands, you get a scaled down reader that fits the needs of those who want it. That is hardly Mickey Mouse!

I wouldn't call it a Mickey Mouse thing. It is after all better built than any of the other current E Ink eReader offerings from Sony, Kobo, and B&N. It might be considered less feature rich than most, but that was by design and due to the loud outcry from diehard Kindle fans who voiced their concerns against a touch screen reader and against a reader without page buttons. At $80 compared to the $130 to $150 offerings by the other major brands, you get a scaled down reader that fits the needs of those who want it. That is hardly Mickey Mouse!